CONSUMER PARTICIPATION IN FOOD STANDARDS SETTING AT THE CODEX AND NATIONAL LEVEL (Agenda Item 10)[30]

Reports by Countries
Discussion by the Committee

84. The Committee noted that the Codex Alimentarius Commission had discussed the involvement of consumers in the work of Codex at its 20th, 21st and 23rd Sessions. The Commission at its 23rd Session, after discussions, proposed that Regional Coordinating Committees should continue to take the opportunity to provide a forum for the exchange of experiences on the ways and means of developing consumer input into National Codex Committees and Contact Points. The recommendations of the Commission[31] were brought to the attention of the Committee.

85. The Observer from Consumers International (CI), referring to its comments[32], emphasized the need to support and strengthen consumer participation in view of the increasing importance of Codex Standards in consumer health and global food trade. CI reported its activities aimed at enhancing the capability of consumer groups to participate in the work of Codex including a breakthrough Regional Training Workshop it organized in August 1999 in collaboration with the Government of Thailand. CI drew the attention of the Committee towards the findings of the CI Asia-Pacific Survey which highlighted the need for more effective mechanism for consumer inputs on food standards setting at national level. Specifically, it urged the members of the Committee to:

• Report to CCASIA on the progress in involving legitimate consumer organizations in their respective countries;
• Identify best practice and develop guidelines to enhance consumer participation in Codex at national level;
• Identify funds to support the participation of legitimate consumer organizations, especially in developing countries;
• Invite legitimate consumer organizations to seminars, training workshops, consultation and related activities at national, sub-regional, regional and international levels;
• For National Codex Committees to ask legitimate consumer organizations on measures for better consumer participation at national level; and
• For National Codex Committees to involve legitimate consumer organizations in disseminating information on food safety issues at national level as a capacity building activity.

86. The Observer from International Association of Consumer Food Organizations expressed its support for the involvement of consumers in Codex work and for the initiatives and activities of CI.

Reports by Countries

Bhutan

87. The role of consumer organizations is low profile in Bhutan. However, the Delegation felt that they ccould play a very important role, particularly in areas of creating awareness of food safety to protect consumer at the grassroots level. Creating awareness and thus information sharing could be a vital play by CI.

India

88. India has a National Codex Committee in which recognized consumer organizations are represented. Its several Committees also include consumer representatives. They receive all agenda papers, attend committee meetings, and actively participate in them. Consumer representatives have also been included in national delegations to Codex meetings. Consumer representatives are also included in the Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS), the expert body that recommends mandatory national food standards under PFA Act.

89. Recognized consumer associations are empowered u/s 12 of PFA Act to lift food samples and launch prosecution against cases of adulteration.

Indonesia

90. An NGO (Jayasan Lomboga Consumer Indonesia) has been actively participating in the activities. It is one of the members of the National Codex Committee which has been restructured recently. Beside that, Indonesia is also a member of the ISO. This year Consumer Protection Law Number 8/1999 has been successfully established. This law went into force in 20 April 1999. Government Regulation on Food Labelling & Advertisement No 69/1999 will be affected for implementation on 21 July 2000.

Japan

91. Regarding the participation of consumers in activities relevant to Codex, the Japanese government in general has taken effort to disclose the process of decision-making. For example, the government convenes the concerning Councils with some committee members representing consumer groups. The record of discussion in the Council will be opened to the public through web site of the government and public comment will also be considered in the process of discussion.

Nepal

92. Food control activities are geared up to serve the consumers with the supply of safe and wholesome foods with the active participation of multi-sectoral government and non-government agencies. The role of industry, trade and consumer group along with government agency is taken into account for augmenting quality and safety of foods.

WHO

93. One of the 10-Point Regional Strategy for Food Safety in the South-East Asia Region[33] is to establishing effective working relationships with consumers.

Discussion by the Committee

94. The Delegation of Thailand also informed the Committee of its national activities regarding this area[34]. Recognizing the importance of consumer participation in the work of Codex, the Delegation made several proposals. The Committee generally supported them and agreed that:

- The involvement of consumer organization in elaboration of food standard at all levels of deliberation should be considered to assure greater transparency in the process of Codex work;

- Asian countries should cooperate to encourage better participation of consumers in the food safety standard setting and to implement risk communication to consumers by providing knowledge and information through various means.

- Member countries should consider how to get the consumer organization representatives involved in their national activities.